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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
Orthotopic Injection of Breast Cancer Cells into the Mammary Fat Pad of Mice to Study Tumor Growth.
Published on: February 8, 2015
Nanoparticle-Induced Breast Cancer Cell Death: The Associated Mechanisms of Seven Major Cell Death Pathways in
Shirui Wang1,2, Cuicui Chang1,2, Rui Xu1,2
1Main Campus, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
Abstract:
Breast cancer is among the most common forms of cancer in women worldwide and continues to be a major challenge in medical science and clinical care because of the complexity of its biological nature and common resistance to treatment. Nanoparticles for treating breast cancer are becoming a new-generation approach to induce the death of breast cancer cells because of their favorable physicochemical properties and excellent targeting ability. Recent studies have shown that nanoparticles can significantly increase anticancer activity by activating several cell death mechanisms, such as pyroptosis, apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and disulfidptosis. The present review focuses on the molecular processes that lead to cell death in breast cancer models due to nanoparticle exposure. Such mechanisms have also been documented in other solid tumors, suggesting the possible universality of the cell death induced by nanoparticles. In the current review, we systematically summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying the various forms of cell death caused by nanoparticles in breast cancer cells to provide a theoretical background for the translational use of nanotechnology in precise breast cancer treatment and a cross-validation model for future mechanistic research on various types of cancer.
Insights
Nanoparticles offer a promising new approach to breast cancer treatment by triggering various cell death mechanisms. This review details how nanoparticles induce cell death in breast cancer, aiding future nanotechnology applications.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge due to its complexity and treatment resistance.
- Nanoparticles are emerging as a novel therapeutic strategy for breast cancer, leveraging their unique properties for targeted delivery and enhanced efficacy.
- Nanoparticle administration has been shown to activate multiple programmed cell death pathways, including apoptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular mechanisms of nanoparticle-induced cell death in breast cancer models.
- To explore the potential of nanotechnology for precise breast cancer treatment.
- To provide a framework for future research on nanoparticle-mediated cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of recent scientific literature on nanoparticles and breast cancer cell death.
- Analysis of molecular pathways involved in apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and disulfidptosis induced by nanoparticles.
- Focus on studies utilizing breast cancer models.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticles effectively induce diverse cell death mechanisms in breast cancer cells.
- The observed cell death pathways are potentially applicable to other solid tumors, indicating a universal response.
- Nanoparticle properties facilitate increased anticancer activity through targeted cell death induction.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticle-mediated cell death pathways represent a promising avenue for advanced breast cancer therapies.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for the translational application of nanotechnology in oncology.
- This review provides a foundation for further investigation into nanoparticle-induced cell death across various cancer types.
